Yunus Government Condemns Lynching Of Hindu Man In Bangladesh, Says ‘No Place For Violence’ | India News

Bangladesh’s interim government led by Muhammad Yunus on Friday strongly condemned the lynching of a Hindu man accused of blasphemy, describing the murder as an act that “has no place in the New Bangladesh” and vowing that all those responsible will be brought to justice.

The victim, Dipu Chandra Das, a young garment factory worker, was living as a tenant in Dubalia Para area of ​​Bhaluka Upazila in Mymensingh. Police say a group of residents killed him. He said she accused him of making derogatory remarks about Mohammed and attacked him around 9pm on Thursday, leading to his death.

“We deeply condemn the incident of beating and killing of a Hindu man in Mymensingh. There is no place for such violence in the new Bangladesh. No one involved in this brutal crime will be spared,” the interim government said in a statement.

Urging citizens to remain vigilant, the government warned that “some isolated terrorist groups” were trying to spread violence and fear at a sensitive political time. It was stated that acts of arson, intimidation and destruction were clearly condemned.

The statement said, “We strongly and unconsciously condemn all kinds of violence, fear, fire and glass-breaking activities,” adding that Bangladesh is going through a historic democratic transformation and that no attempt to create chaos will be allowed to disrupt the country’s path to peace.

The murder took place amid widespread unrest triggered by the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent figure in the July 2024 uprising that led to the fall of the previous government. Hadi, known for his anti-Sheikh Hasina and anti-India stance, died on Thursday due to bullet wounds he received in the attack carried out by unidentified attackers on December 12.

The interim administration said honoring Hadi’s sacrifice requires restraint, responsibility and a clear rejection of hatred and violence.

The government also expressed solidarity with the journalists of The Daily Star, Prothom Alo and New Age, whose offices and staff were attacked during the incidents.

In the statement, “We would like to say this to The Daily Star, Prothom Alo and New Age journalists: we are with you. We deeply apologize for the terrorism and violence you have suffered. Our nation has witnessed the courage and tolerance you showed even in the face of terrorism. An attack on journalists means an attack on the truth. We guarantee you full justice.”

With only two months to go until Bangladesh’s scheduled general elections, Hadi’s death sparked immediate outrage, with thousands of supporters taking to the streets to demand justice and the arrest of those responsible. Protests quickly escalated, with arson attacks and vandalism targeting institutions perceived to be aligned with the former administration or foreign interests.

In Dhaka, gangs set fire to the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, trapping dozens of journalists inside. Protesters also attacked the home of Bangladesh’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and various cultural centres.

The unrest took on a strong anti-India tone, with demonstrators claiming that Hadi’s attackers had fled to India and calling for the closure of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.